The Walrus Says

By Jim Munro

General Order No. 11; May 5, 1868 "The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit."

On Monday, Jamestown residents and organizations led by military veterans moving to the beat of the Jamestown Community Band will march down Narragansett Avenue fulfilling General Order No.11.

The official birthplace of Memorial Day, known then as Decoration Day, was Waterloo, New York. It originated the observation following the Civil War on May 5, 1866, and held it each year thereafter. After speaking at a cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois, two years later, General John A. Logan, Commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, issued General Order No. 11 proclaiming that Decoration Day be observed nationwide.

Following World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. The alternative name, 'Memorial Day' was first used in 1882. It did not become more common until after World War II and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May.

Proudly fly your flag and applaud the marchers on Monday. The parade steps off at 10 a.m.

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That day will mark the 63rd Memorial Day trip down Narragansett Avenue for 94-year-old islander Jim West. His first parade was in 1946 when he returned home after serving with the Army Engineers inWWII.

In answer to Peter C. Pemantell's query, Don Barry, John Wright and Dick Rembijas agree on the location of the old grain store. Dick said it was at 9 Howland Ave., the present home of Page's Pampered Pets. John added that a Mr. Simon was the owner of the grain store.

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Peter asks, where was John Brazil's Shoe Store? Can you tell him what kind of shop was next to it and who owned and ran that shop? "It's pretty hard to stump Linda Albaugh! Just give me time, I'll stump her yet. The big question is, can she stump me?"

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Debra Vierra Murphy, Joey G and Marlene Murphy replied that Solo's sidekick was Illya Kuryakin played by David MacCallum. Joey and Marlene said that David now performs autopsies on NCIS.

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The Boy Scouts of Troop 1 served dinners to 350 people Saturday night at the Troop's annual Pasta Supper at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. The diners consumed 76 pounds of pasta and 55 pounds of meatballs. The dessert table was to die for. Amongst the supper goers was 4 1/2-month-old Kate Lindley who was charming everyone and enjoying all the excitement.